What's the best temperature to air fry homemade chicken nuggets?

I recommend setting your air fryer to 400F. At this temperature, the chicken will fully cook without drying out and the coating will get browned and crispy. If you cook it at a lower temperature, it will take longer for the breading to get crispy and the chicken nuggets may dry out.

How long does it take to cook homemade chicken nuggets in the air fryer?

At 400F, chicken nuggets only take 12 minutes to cook. The timing may vary slightly depending on the brand, model and size of your air fryer, as well as the size of your chicken pieces. The nuggets are done when they're crispy and browned on the outside and no longer pink in the middle. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165F. I recommend using a meat thermometer to test for doneness.

Can traditional bread crumbs be used instead of panko crumbs?

For a crispy coating, I recommend using panko crumbs. These are Japanese-style bread crumbs that are larger than regular bread crumbs with a flaky, coarse texture. Regular bread crumbs are soft with a fine texture, so they will not get as crispy.

Do the panko crumbs need to be toasted first?

This isn't absolutely necessary, but toasting them will result in an extra crunchy breading.

Can chicken thighs be used in place of chicken breast?

Yes! You can substitute 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the breasts.

What type of air fryer was this recipe tested in?

This recipe was tested in a 5.8 quart Cosori basket style air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Bites

Description

Air Fryer Chicken Bites are ultra crispy, tender and juicy with a simple panko breading and minimal oil. These homemade chicken nuggets are kid friendly but also make a delicious appetizer or game day snack!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
Non-stick cooking spray
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts), cut into 2-inch pieces
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out the panko crumbs. Lightly spray with oil (non-stick cooking spray works well). Bake for 5 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden brown. (Stir a few times to ensure they brown evenly and don’t burn). Remove from oven and let cool.
Add the flour and chicken to a large ziplock bag and toss until the chicken pieces are lightly coated with flour.
Whisk together the eggs in a shallow bowl.
In a separate shallow bowl or large rimmed plate, mix together the toasted panko crumbs, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and black pepper.
Dip the floured chicken pieces in the egg wash, letting any excess egg drip off, and then coat with the panko crumb mixture. (Use your fingers to lightly press the crumbs into the surface of the chicken).
Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. (You’ll need to air fry in two batches so place the remaining breaded chicken in the fridge).
Air fry on 400F for 6 minutes. Flip the nuggets over and air fry for another 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the nuggets reach 165F.
Repeat with remaining chicken. (The second batch may cook faster than the first).

Notes

You can substitute 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the chicken breasts.
It’s not absolutely necessary to toast the panko crumbs in the oven first, but toasting them will result in an extra crunchy breading.
These nuggets are not overly seasoned. If you like extra seasoning, feel free to add more, or change it up with different dried herbs and spices.
For a non-smoky flavour, use regular paprika instead of smoked paprika.
The chicken was cut into 2-inch pieces. If you cut your pieces larger or smaller, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
I usually use one hand to dip the chicken pieces in the egg wash and keep the other hand dry to coat the chicken in the panko crumbs. If you use the same hand, your fingers will get clumpy with egg and panko crumbs.
I didn’t preheat my air fryer for this recipe, but if your air fryer requires it, you should do so before adding the nuggets. This may reduce the cooking time slightly.
This recipe was tested in a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. If you have a different brand, model or size, you may need to adjust the air frying temperature and time slightly.
Be sure to check out the other sections above the recipe card for more detailed advice and suggestions for making this recipe.